Travis Perkins looks set to open its third branch on the Isle of Wight on land next to the proposed retail development at St George’s Way in Newport.
According to a planning application submitted to the Isle of Wight Council, a builders yard would be created on land off Godric Road between what is currently the former St George’s Park football ground and Pan Lane – opposite Asda.
Under the plans, space would be created for the yard itself as well as a building to provide the storage, display, distribution and sale of building materials, timber, plumbing and heating supplies and hard/soft wall and floor coverings. A trade counter/showroom would also be created.
It is proposed that the branch would be open 06:30-19:00 during the week and 07:00-17:00 on Saturdays. It would not be open on Sundays or Bank Holidays.
A total of 12 parking spaces would be created for customers including 1 disabled space, alongside ‘park and load’ spaces and 13 staff parking spaces, plus 3 motorcycle bays and 5 cycle spaces.
The opening of Travis Perkins’ third branch on the Island – joining Ryde and Wroxall – would create 25 full time jobs.
According to the planning submission by South Coast Leisure Ltd, an existing footpath that runs diagonally across the site would be replaced by a new footpath that skirts around the northern edge of the site, connecting the eastern end of the retail park to Pan Lane (pictured above).
It’s unclear when the company aims to open their Newport branch and whether the Ryde and Wroxall branches will remain.
Work to build the brand new 78,000 sqft retail park at St George’s Way – which will include McDonald’s and Costa drive-thrus, a DIY store with garden centre, a discount foodstore and a non-food retailer or gym – has not yet begun.
As previously reported by Island Echo, a planning application was lodged in 2018 to demolish the former home ground of Newport IW FC and build a retail park in its place. Permission was granted in October 2019 but, in March 2021, a second application was submitted. The new application, which is yet to be determined, is smaller in scale with around 20% less floor space but with the addition of a second drive-thru – Costa.
Not if the NIMBY lot get their way and block it. They will do anything to stop jobs being created on the island.